SPORES: waterproof reproductive cell that can grow into a new organism.

Classes of Fungi

- Based on what type of structure is produced when hyphae join in sexual reproduction.

CLUB FUNGI

Mushrooms

Mushroom = the reproductive struture of the fungus

Hyphae gow in soil or on surface of its food source

Spores are produced in club-shaped structures called BASIDIUM

SAC FUNGI

Yeast, molds, morels, truffles: 30,000 species

Spores are in a saclike structure called an ASCUS

Yeasts are single-celled. Reproduce sexually by forming spores an asexually by budding.

BUDDING - form of asexual reproduction in which a new organism forms on the side of a parent organism. Genetically identical.

ZYGOTE FUNGI

Fuzzy black mold on bread

SPORAGNIUM - round spore case produced on the tips of upright hyphae

IMPERFECT FUNGI - no observed sexual reproduction

USES OF FUNGI

LICHENS: organism that is made of a fungus and a green alga or a cyanobacterium. Mutually beneficial relationship. Fungus gets food made by the algae or cyanobacterium. Algae gets a moist, protected place to live.

Important food source for caribou, musk ox & others

Part of the weathering and succession process.

Part of soil formation.

Sued as an indicator organism to monitor pollution.

MYCORRHIZAE - fungal interaction with plant roots that help the plant absorb more nutrients from the soil. Some plants can't grow with out mycorrhizae.

Agriculture

Edible Mushrooms

Yeast -> Bread

Cheese

Disease: Dutch elm disease, apple scab, smuts & rust

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Ringworm & Athlete's foot

Penicillin is grown by an imperfect fungi

Cyclosporine - rug used to help fight a body's rejection of transplanted organs